JANESVILLE — A Janesville couple has pledged $1.5 million toward the planned Children’s Museum of Rock County, and made an additional $500,000 matching pledge.
The planned Children’s Museum of Rock County at 100 W. Milwaukee St. in downtown Janesville.
Courtesy Children's Museum of Rock County
The Children’s Museum announced the $2 million gift from Steve and Marlene Bysted, who both grew up in Janesville, on Friday as it kicked off a “Transform Tomorrow” matching campaign. The campaign will match every donation dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000, through Aug. 31.
The Children’s Museum noted in a release the Bysteds’ “strong ties to the community.”
Marlene Bysted has served on the YWCA board, PTA and lunch buddy program, been an elementary school volunteer, middle school mentor, and court appointed special advocate (CASA). In 2016, she was the treasurer of the Children’s Museum of Rock County board. She is currently on the CASA board and Children’s Museum of Rock County Foundation board.
Steve and Marlene Bysted of Janesville have pledged $2 million toward the planned Children’s Museum of Rock County.
COURTESY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY
Steve Bysted has served on the YMCA board, Wisconsin Wholesalers board, and as a middle and high school basketball coach. He is currently a food resource assistant at Echo.
“The Children’s Museum follows our commitment to paying it forward to the children in our community and will be a place for kids to play, learn and grow,” Marlene Bysted said in the release. “We believe all children should have access to opportunities to thrive.”
“This gift is a huge boon for our project,” Children’s Museum President John Westphal said in the release. “If we complete the matching campaign, the Bysted’s generosity will have garnered us $2.5 million for our project, taking our campaign total to the $14.5 million range.”
“We know the Bysteds’ grandchildren are their joy, and we know that is true for many other families in our community,” Olivia McCarthy, the Children’s Museum’s public relations and communications director, said in the release.
“With this matching campaign, we are focusing on those relationships outside of the traditional, nuclear family. The children’s museum will be enjoyed by grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, guardians, and so many more.”
The Children’s Museum of Rock County Foundation announced last month that it has completed the purchase of 100 W. Milwaukee St., the former First National and Chase bank, as its future home.
The Children’s Museum is currently working with general contractor JP Cullen, Angus-Young architects, and exhibit designer Haizlip Studios to finalize construction, design, and exhibit plans.
Based on the current timeline, the board expects to receive final costs for construction this month and final costs for exhibits in July. It expects to announce the hiring of an executive director and groundbreaking date in coming weeks.
For more information, including on how to give to the project, visit
